7 Bedroom Changes That Can Help You Sleep, According to Feng Shui Experts
Catch more zzz's with these simple feng shui tips.
Getting a good night's sleep is essential to your physical and mental health, yet according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly one-third of Americans report not getting enough rest at night. While some people may have an underlying physical cause for their lack of adequate sleep, for others, the problem comes down to poor sleep hygiene. To remedy this, experts recommend turning your bedroom into a haven for sleep by making the space cool, dark, quiet, clean, and free of electronics. However, feng shui experts say there's another way to achieve better sleep.
According to the rules of this ancient Chinese art, making changes to your bedroom's layout, decor, and colors can help you sleep. So, we turned to feng shui experts to get their top tips for revamping your bedroom for a better night's sleep—and more positive energy. Read on for their advice.
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7 Ways to Feng Shui Your Bedroom for Better Sleep
1. Position your bed properly.
Putting your bed in the "command position," or the position that commands the most powerful energy in the room, is a simple way to get a better sleep through feng shui.
"The bed is the most important piece of furniture in the bedroom," explains Victor Cheung, owner of Feng Shui Nexus. "Place it in a commanding position, diagonally opposite the door, so you can see the entrance while lying in bed. This position symbolizes stability and security."
2. Get a headboard.
Once you've positioned your bed, you'll also want to consider investing in a headboard.
"Your bed's headboard gives it a sense of security and strength, symbolically laying a good foundation for your rest and general well-being," explains Sylvia Li, an interior designer at Open Spaces Feng Shui. "A headboard fosters a sense of safety and grounding, enabling you to feel more comfortable and relaxed when you lie down to sleep."
"The best headboards are those that are sturdy and constructed of wood and soft materials," she advises. However, she says you should always avoid metal headboards, which can feel especially rigid and confining.
3. Create a soothing color scheme.
You can also repaint your bedroom to get better sleep. This is especially important if your current color scheme is particularly abrasive or unnatural.
"Choose calming colors for your bedroom walls and decor. Soft, muted tones like pastels, neutrals, or earthy colors are generally recommended for a tranquil atmosphere conducive to sleep," advises Cheung.
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4. Replace harsh overhead lights with warm lamps.
Li says that in the rules of feng shui, harsh lighting is strongly discouraged in the bedroom.
"The circadian rhythm, which controls when we are awake and asleep, can be disturbed by bright or harsh lighting. Excessive artificial lighting, particularly from harsh overhead lights or bright bulbs, can overstimulate the senses and obstruct the hormone melatonin's ability to promote sleep," she explains.
"Softer, dimmable lighting alternatives like bedside lamps with warm-toned bulbs are advised to be used in the bedroom," notes Li.
5. Balance the elements.
Having a space that's in harmony with nature can have a calming effect, leading to a better night's sleep. You can achieve this by using a range of materials in your decor that evoke the natural world.
"Feng shui incorporates the concept of five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Create a balanced representation of these elements in your bedroom through your choice of materials, colors, and decor," advises Cheung.
"For example, you can introduce wooden furniture, a water feature like a small tabletop fountain, and metal accents in the room," he suggests. "Bring in things from nature, such as indoor plants, to enhance the overall energy of the room. Plants can improve air quality and add a sense of vitality and freshness to the space."
6. Hang landscape art.
Incorporating art into your bedroom can add visual interest and set the tone for your space. If you'd like a more soothing setting for rest, Li recommends adorning your walls with horizontally-oriented landscape art.
"In feng shui, landscape art is believed to be more relaxing-looking than portrait art. You will see that arts that are hung vertically have a more commanding and active appearance than horizontally hung artwork," she explains, noting that this "promotes relaxation and better sleep in your bedroom."
Li adds that you should also avoid displaying abstract art in your bedroom. "It can create a chaotic energy that will interfere with your ability to sleep. Instead, I recommend you display works of art with beautiful scenery."
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7. Keep your bedroom tidy and uncluttered.
Keeping your space clean and uncluttered is perhaps the easiest way to improve your bedroom for better sleep.
"Clutter can disrupt the flow of energy in the room and create a sense of unease," explains Cheung. "Keep your bedroom tidy and organized, removing any unnecessary items or belongings."
In particular, it's essential to clear any walkways and declutter around and under your bed.
"It is poor feng shui to keep shoes, rags, unused objects, clothes, laundry, electronics, etc. under your bed," says Li. "These things will prevent a healthy flow of energy and merely disrupt your sleep."
"Remove [them] and look for a more suitable location to keep these things," suggests Li. "If your bed has a storage area underneath it, use the space to keep additional pillows, covers, duvets, or bed sheets only."
